House Concurrent Resolution 91

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MS. MARY ELLEN DAVIS FOR FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PICAYUNE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

WHEREAS, on February 2, 2002, Ms. Mary Ellen Formby Davis celebrated 50 years of faithful service to the Picayune Housing Authority; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Davis, a native of Picayune, Mississippi, is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lourie N. Formby, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, upon graduating from Picayune High School, Mrs. Davis went to work at Camp Shelby Army facility, where she met and married her late husband, Major Bennie Davis; and

WHEREAS, throughout their early years of marriage, Ms. Davis worked for the United States government at military installations in the continental United States and overseas; and

WHEREAS, the Picayune Housing Authority, a nonprofit corporation, was organized in November 1950, by Ms. Davis' father, who served as chairman of the board of commissioners until his death in 1965; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Davis commenced her work with the Picayune Housing Authority on February 2, 1952, overseeing the planning and development of 65 dwelling units and an office, which was completed in 1953; and

WHEREAS, in 1959, following the death of her husband, Ms. Davis was appointed by the board of commissioners to succeed him as Executive Director of the Picayune Housing Authority, the position which she currently holds; and

WHEREAS, under Ms. Davis' capable direction, the Picayune Housing Authority has received seven annual Comprehensive Grant Programs; and

WHEREAS, since 1995, the Housing Authority has received Public Housing Drug Elimination Grants annually, making it possible to provide 12-hour police security and to sponsor education programs and activities focusing on health, personal responsibility, social skills, job training and educational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Davis has attained many notable accomplishments in the field of public housing, serving as president of the Mississippi Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and the Southeastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (SERC), as a representative for SERC on the National Board of Governors of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, and as Chairman of the SERC Policy Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, currently overseeing 331 dwelling units, 92 of which are designated for the elderly and handicapped, Ms. Davis has recently been appointed to serve on the SERC Executive and Nominating Committees by incoming SERC President Donald Cameron; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Davis, throughout her every endeavor to accommodate others, has increasingly enjoyed the love and support of her daughter, and only child, Janet Ellen Davis; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Davis, a member of the First Baptist Church of Picayune where she has actively served on the Church Finance Committee and Building Committee, is socially active in the Picayune community and is a member of the Woman's Club, Garden Club, Order of Eastern Star and Pearl River County Cooperative Extension Service Advisory Council and a board member of the Boys and Girls Club; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Ms. Mary Ellen Formby Davis, who has devoted her career to helping better the lives of those less fortunate than her and vastly contributed to the efforts to provide quality housing for all people of Picayune:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Ms. Mary Ellen Formby Davis for 50 years of dedicated service to the Picayune Housing Authority, her community, state and nation and wish her many years of good health, peace and happiness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Ms. Mary Ellen Formby Davis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.